Chapter Two

The sparing field has ten large circles where each match is held. This meant ten groups of two could battle at once, giving more people a chance to battle.
 I've been fighting for a good three and a half hours, and could tell this guy was almost beat.
 Right punch, kick high. Aim for the kidneys. There, now three steps back, then a hard right kick.
 My opponent is on his knees, hands raised, forfeiting the match. God, he was weak. I barely worked up a sweat. I help him up, a mandatory "sign of respect," and call out for a new a opponent.
 To my surprise, one of the stronger men, Daemon, came up. Huh, usually they just assume I'm too weak, and that it'd be an unfair fight. Nice to see they changed their minds. A wide smile spreads across my face as I take a step forward.
 Okay, one step right, three forward, and a hard punch to the right side of the face. Then, defend against his attack, and-- Wait, what? Before I could finish thinking of my strategy, he has swung right at my face. I ducked, but he still caught the top of my head, feeling as if he had used a sledge hammer.
 Okay, ignore the pain. Ignore it and keep moving. I heard laughter, and saw it was coming from Daemon. Mistake number one. I leap forwards, punch him right in the nose, feeling it break. After getting caught off guard with another rock hard punch, aimed right at my jaw,I swing my body around, using the momentum to send my right leg flying into his side as hard as I could. I grabbed his right arm, and twisted it behind him and twisted. Now, with only one arm, he tries to swing at me again. Mistake number two.
 There was a loud pop, and a stifled shriek. His arm dangling limply at his side. Whoops. Didn't mean to do that! I rush over, offering assistance, but all he does is shrug me off. His friends help him pop his arm back into place, and sparing is called to an end for the day.
 Next is target practice. We're out shooting at poppets, some as small as my hand. It's difficult, but it will definitely help during battle. I take out three poppets before five minutes are up. I take a breather, not a big fan of guns. It's not as much fun as fighting, doesn't give me as much of an adrenaline rush. Oh well, nothing I can do about it. This is mandatory training, if you don't go to it, you can't be a soldier. Then I would end up running errands for these soldiers again. Washing clothes, and taking care of homes. As a soldier, I still have to clean game, and wash clothes, but only for my family. I help take care of Artemio's home, but how could I not, after he had saved my life?
 I spend four hours shooting poppets, thankful I'm not on the other side of the wall, picking them back up. They could easily get hit by a stray bullet if they're not careful. When the session is over, we have free time for a hour. I head to the area behind the wall, looking for Akemi's friend, Spera. Spera is a year older than Akemi, but still a good four inches shorter than her.
 "Hey, little monkey, climb any trees lately?" My tone was sweet, but my face was a bit concerned. I don't like the fact that she was working behind the wall, but don't have enough influence to get her a decent job.
 "Not lately, but once we win this war, I'll have all the time in the world to climb trees."
 "Always the optimist. So, how have you been? Has Charissimi been bringing you food?"
 Charissimi is Spera's cousin. She is also a cook in a loyal restaurant one town over. She hates the Allies as much as we do, but her job gives her access to all the uneaten food. She sneaks it back here, and rations it out the best she can.
 "Charissimi hasn't come yet this week, but I'm sure she'll be here soon." You could hear the slight hint of fear in her voice, though she tried to hide it.
 "Well, sweetie, please take care. Akemi says hello, by the way. I'll give her your best?"
 "Yeah, you do that. I hope to see her again soon."
 "You and her both."
 I walk away, remembering the days when those two were inseparable. When things were simpler. No rebels, no rationing out everything, no trying to survive on our own. Yes, my mother was still alive back then, and was a complete nut case, but things were safer than they are now.
 I walk home, done for the night.  Usually  any soldier below level five has to send three more hours either practicing fighting techniques or studying survival skills. I had been excused from my evening training because I had Akemi to take care of. Since I survived this long off, with very little help, they let me skip the survival skills lessons. I was already a pretty decent fighter as well, having taken down Daemon, so I earned the right to miss that training session as well. I think it's pretty impressive, for a level four to take down a level nine, though it's more because of my -or Artemio's- fighting technique. Just don't stop swinging, and they'll have less time to hit you.  
 Once home, I have dinner with Akemi. Nothing big happened that night. We went to bed thankful for the momentary peace.
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 I wake up to a hand over my mouth. I struggle to break free, but my arms are tied behind my back. I try to scream, but there is something tied around my mouth. All I can do is stare with wide eyes as these people put Akemi into a truck, throwing me in after her. I hit my head, hard, and everything went black.